Effects of different treatments on seed germination and breaking seed dormancy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prosopis koelziana</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prosopis Juliflora</Emphasis>

For improving seed germination of Prosopis koelziana and Prosopis juliflora, different treatments of seeds were conducted, including scarification with sulfuric acid 98% for 10 and 15 min, sandy paper, hot water for 5 and 10 min, potasium nitrate 0.1%, gibberellic acid at 250 mg·L⁻¹ and 500 mg·L⁻¹ and combinational treatment of scarification with gibberellic acid of 250 mg·L⁻¹ and 500 mg·L⁻¹. The results show that scarifications with sandy paper and sulfuric acids 98% were the most effective treatments on breaking seed dormancy and seed germination induction. Scarification with sulfuric acid 98% for 15 min was the best treatment. According to the positive effect of scarification and lack of reaction of seeds against KNO₃ and gibberellic acid, the kind of seed dormancy was determined as exogenous.     

Morphometrical study of the cat cerebellum using unbiased design-based stereology

The objective of the present study was to investigate the morphometrical features of the cat cerebellum using design-based stereology. Cerebellar hemispheres from four male cats were examined. Isotropic, uniform random sections were obtained and processed for light microscopy. Cerebellar total volume (V), white (WM) and grey matter (GM) volume fractions, and the volumes of the molecular and granular layers were measured using the Cavalieri's estimator and the point counting system. Cerebellar surface area was estimated using test lines, and Purkinje cellular and nuclear volumes were analysed using the nucleator technique. The volume of the cat cerebellar hemispheres was 2.06 ± 0.29 cm³. The relative volume fractions of the GM and WM were 70.6 ± 2.6% and 29.3 ± 2.6%, respectively. The surface area of the cerebellar hemisphere was 68.2 ± 17.8 cm². The volumes of the molecular and granular layers were estimated at 0.89 ± 0.16 cm³ and 0.56 ± 0.1 cm³, respectively. The Purkinje cell volumes were found to be ranging from 1,717 to 28,489 µm³, of which cells with a perikaryon volume of 6,994 µm³ had a higher incidence. The Purkinje nuclear volume was estimated at 440–3,561 µm³, and nuclei with a volume of 1,252 µm³ were the most frequently occurring ones. Our data might contribute to the veterinary comparative neuroanatomy knowledge, help develop experimental studies in this field, and possibly lead to advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of nervous diseases in the cat.     

Impact of baking conditions and storage temperature on staling of fully and part-baked Sangak bread

Bread staling involves a combination of physico-chemical phenomena that leads to a reduction of quality. This study aims at evaluating the impact of baking conditions (280 °C, 8 min; 310 °C, 5.5 min; 340 °C, 4 min), baking type (of fully baked (FB) and part-baked (PB)) and storage temperature (−18, 4 and 20 °C) on the staling of Sangak bread. Results showed that lower baking temperature with longer baking time produced drier bread with higher firmness. In FB Sangak breads, amylopectin retrogradation, amount of unfreezable water and firmness (measured by compression test) increased during storage at positive temperatures but hardness (determined by Kramer shear test) decreased significantly during first day of storage. The recrystallized amylopectin traps the free water resulting in crumb hardening. Water is also absorbed by the dry crust resulting in changes of rheological properties in the crust and crumb, and finally in staling. Storage at 4 °C resulted in increasing melting enthalpy of amylopectin crystallite in comparison with storage at 20 °C. Also it was found that firmness of PB breads due to rebaking was significantly lower than FB breads. There were no significant changes in staling parameters of FB and PB stored at −18 °C.     

EFFECTS OF SALINITY STRESS ON PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS WHEAT AND BARLEY CULTIVARS

An experiment with factorial arrangement of treatments on a randomized complete block (RCB) design basis with three replications was conducted in a greenhouse during Spring 2010 to investigate changes in sodium ion (Na⁺), potassium ion (K⁺), Na⁺/K⁺ and to determine proline, protein content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) of four wheat and four barley cultivars. Three salt levels {1, control (no salt), 7, and 13 dS m^?1 [2.5 and 5 g salt [sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) in 1:1 ratio] per kg of soil, respectively]} were used in this investigation. Salt stress treatments were applied 4 weeks after planting (at 2 leaf stage). Leaf samples were taken four weeks after imposition of salt treatment. The results showed that salinity caused an increased in proline and protein content, and SOD in all wheat and barley cultivars. The highest proline and protein content of barley and wheat cultivars at all salinity levels were observed in ‘Nimrooz’ and ‘Bam’ cultivars, respectively. At all salinity levels, wheat and barley cultivars ‘Kavir’ and ‘Nimrooz’, respectively, had the lowest Na⁺ content. Barley cultivar ‘Kavir’ and wheat cultivar ‘Bam’ had higher K⁺ and K⁺:Na⁺ ratios. This might be related to salt tolerance in these two cultivars. Wheat and barley cultivars showed differences with regard to proline, protein, and SOD content, Na⁺, K⁺, and K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, indicating existence of genetic diversity among the cultivars. These findings indicated that higher K⁺, K⁺:Na⁺ ratio, proline, protein, and SOD content could be the key factors, which offer advantage to barley over wheat for superior performance under saline conditions.     

Diversity of woody plant species and their relationship to physiographic factors in central Zagros forests (Case study: Perc forest,Khorramabad, Iran)

Topography is the most factor that has the greatest impact of all factor that affect the distribution.To study the diversity of trees and shrub species in the Perc forest situated in Khorramabad,Lorestan,140 circular plots of 1200 m~2 in a grid of 300 m 9 250 m were surveyed,using a systematic random sampling method.In each plot,the Margalef richness index,Shannon–Wiener diversity index,Hill's N_1 and Simpson indices and the evenness index of Simpson and Smith-Wilson were calculated and ordered on the basis of different classes of elevation,exposition and slope.The results indicated that slope did not have any significant effect on the indices.Exposition and elevation classes significant impacted the richness and diversity indices,but did not influence evenness.In general,the highest plant diversity was observed for slopes less than 15 %,northern aspects,without geographical direction,and elevations of 2100–2200 m.This information can be very useful in achieving the goals for sustainable management of forests.In addition to greater protection for regions with high diversity and reforestation(compatible species) in degraded area,we can help increase diversity in forests.     

Elevated Serum Anti-Müllerian Hormone in an Arabian Mare with Granulosa Cell Tumor

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), produced by granulosa cells, has been reported to be elevated in mares with granulosa cell tumor. A 13-year-old Arabian mare was referred after 3 years of infertility. Rectal and ultrasonographic examination revealed enlargement and multicystic appearance of the left ovary. The mare had substantially higher concentration of AMH (21.6 ng/mL) compared with normal cyclic mares (n = 5; 0.36 ± 0.02 ng/mL). Testosterone (50 pg/mL) concentration was also elevated, but progesterone concentration (0.4 ng/mL) was lowered. Accordingly, the mare was presumptively diagnosed with granulosa-theca cell tumor and a left ovariectomy implemented using ventral midline approach under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of granulosa-theca cell tumor. Serum concentrations of AMH decreased to 2 ng/mL and 0.5 ng/mL 2 and 4 weeks after tumor removal, respectively. In conclusion, the current report presents confirmatory evidence that evaluation of serum AMH could be useful for diagnosis of granulosa cell tumor in mare.     

Durum wheat cultivation associated with Aegilops tauschii in northern Iran

Hexaploid bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L. ssp. aestivum) is assumed to have originated by natural hybridization between cultivated tetraploid Triticum turgidum L. and wild diploid Aegilops tauschii Coss. This scenario is broadly accepted, but very little is known about the ecological aspects of bread wheat evolution. In this study, we examined whether T. turgidum cultivation still is associated with weedy Ae. tauschii in today’s Middle Eastern agroecosystems. We surveyed current distributions of T. turgidum and Ae. tauschii in northern Iran and searched for sites where these two species coexist. Ae. tauschii occurred widely in the study area, whereas cultivated T. turgidum had a narrow distribution range. Traditional durum wheat (T. turgidum ssp. durum (Desf.) Husn.) cultivation associated with weedy Ae. tauschii was observed in the Alamut and Deylaman-Barrehsar districts of the central Alborz Mountain region. The results of our field survey showed that the T. turgidum–Ae. tauschii association hypothesized in the theory of bread wheat evolution still exists in the area where bread wheat probably evolved.